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What are mood disorders?
What are mood disorders?
Mood disorders are psychological disorders characterized by the elevation or lowering of a person's mood (moments of mania and depression). The most common disorders are depression and bipolar disorder (I and II).
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)
Major Depressive Disorder is categorized by having some or all of the following symptoms (taken from the National Institute of Mental Health) persistently for at least two weeks:
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
Irritability
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy or fatigue
Moving or talking more slowly
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
Not all of these symptoms are necessary for a diagnosis of MDD or other variations of depression, but if you are presenting some of them, you may want to seek the help of a mental health professional.
Bipolar Disorder (I and II)
Bipolar Disorder (I and II)
Bipolar disorder in general is defined by moments of mania (which can include periods of excitement or euphoria but at dangerous levels), and depression (see above for clinical symptoms)
Bipolar I
Bipolar I
Bipolar I is defined by the NIMH as “manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible."
Bipolar II
Bipolar II
Bipolar II is defined by “a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes that are typical of Bipolar I Disorder."
TEDX Talk: Shedding Light on Student Depression
TEDX Talk: Shedding Light on Student Depression
CW: mentions of suicidal thoughts and actions
CW: mentions of suicidal thoughts and actions
It's On Campus
It's On Campus
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults in the United States, which is why colleges and universities have higher rates. An article written by Susan R Furr (see Our Sources), states that the two biggest causes of depression (which can lead to suicidal ideation) on college campuses are loneliness and financial hardship, and when you think about it, it completely makes sense. College students are more likely to face feelings of isolation, especially as freshmen as they grow accustomed to campus life, and with the cost of tuition, room and board, and other fees only going up money problems aren't going anywhere either. Its imperative that we educate the campus community on how to cope with these symptoms and give them resources on how to reach out for help. (see Resources tab)
From our own research 48 out of 154 students from TCNJ that responded to our survey say they have experienced depressive or manic symptoms. (around 31%) If you would like to know more about student testimonials and experiences with mental health issues on campus visit our Hear Our Lions Roar page!
Online Resources
Online Resources
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